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Wayland School Committee graduation remarks Jeff Dieffenbach 5 June 2005 Graduating students, families and friends, educators, and distinguished guests: In elementary school, we learn about change in our selves. In middle school, we learn about change relative to our peers. In high school, we learn about change in the world. At a School Committee meeting several months ago, we heard from High School student leaders as we do each year. One of our administrators asked of the students what on the surface appeared to be a straightforward question: what impact has the changing world imparted? One of our students responded with a simple yet wholly unexpected answer that continues to resonate with me today. On the order of one thousand days ago, today’s graduating seniors embarked upon their high school journey. Three school days later, September 11 touched us all. As adults, we experienced that day as a profound change from one era to another. In sharp contrast, our student answered in essence that today’s graduating seniors realize only the consequences of that change, not the change itself. Just beginning to look at the broader world, they knew no “before.” A lesson, I think, is not that the world does change, but rather that the world is change. If change is the gap between today and tomorrow, then we must make tomorrow the consequence of today amplified by effort and optimism. Our task as a school system? To provide our students with the skills and the confidence to embrace change and prosper. We hope that we have served you the class of 2005 well in this regard; we wish you all success as your journeys continue. Congratulations. |
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